The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Calista cast a furtive glance toward Vivienne and murmured in a hushed voice, “Mom, please stop talking!”

She looked utterly heartbroken. Already beautiful, her crestfallen expression only amplified her appeal, tugging at the heartstrings of anyone who saw her.

Mila only had this one precious daughter, and seeing her suffer such indignity was more than she could bear. Her voice rose in volume, “Why shouldn’t I speak? I’m going to!”

She marched up to Vivienne, her anger palpable. “Vivienne, you’ve had it in for Calista from the start. Nothing she does pleases you, but she risked herself to save you today! Your attitude is utterly disgraceful!”

Vivienne raised her eyebrows slightly, her expression cool and detached, “And? Should I kneel and bow my head to her in gratitude?”

Mila was taken aback. “When did I ever ask you to kneel to her? Don’t twist my words. I’m saying, at the very least, you should say thank you.”

Judith, who had been silent up to this point, interjected with a disapproving tone, “Vivienne, your behavior is indeed deplorable. No matter what, Calista is your sister. Whatever grudges you had should be in the past. Today, she saved you because, despite everything, you share the same father. You don’t have to shower her with thanks, but a simple thank you is basic courtesy.”

Her gaze darkened as she continued, “Or has your mother never taught you any manners?”

Suddenly!

Vivienne’s eyes darkened, her presence turning icy. Beneath her haute couture gown, she stood regal as a queen bathed in sunlight, her radiance momentarily blinding.

She glanced at Judith with a chilling gaze, her voice flat as she said, “My mother is dead. You could try asking her in the afterlife how she raised me.”

Judith’s face soured instantly. “What kind of talk is that? As your grandmother, am I not allowed to speak for your own good? I remember your mother as a gracious and considerate woman, well-liked by the Brooks family. How is it that you’re so rude? You would do well to learn some life lessons from your mother.”

“Haha!” Vivienne laughed, dazzling yet like a poisonous flower capable of ensnaring one with a glance.

She looked up at Judith, her voice icy. “When Paula managed to steal Scott’s sperm, Judith, you played no small part. A person with a venomous heart, living a life of pretense, you dare teach me?”

are you spouting? Is this how a younger person speaks to an

was an issue with Vivienne’s manners,” Percival interjected casually, hands in pockets, casting a

The mere Brooks family!

in his presence. Had it not been for Vivienne’s preference to handle her own affairs, they might have mistaken his patience for

planned to leave the Brooks family

eager not to let well enough alone, he was

under the impression that he was

words losing restraint. “Ever since she returned to the Brooks family, she’s been nothing but cold to us. Anything we do is

When her siblings took her to the gemstone market, she had Eddy broadcast something most uncouth, landing him in jail

but did

consideration for her feelings, we haven’t been overly kind to Calista. Yet today, despite

elder to even speak? Why can’t I say you should learn from your mother? Vivienne, you simply do not measure up to your mother

chuckled. It was charming yet

many unsettled scores. Thomas, bring over a couple of chairs. Vivienne and I will sit

a cold look at Judith

hand and sat down. Though seated, they exuded an aura of royalty that

crossed his legs, his long fingers tapping rhythmically on his knee as his deep gaze swept over the Brooks family before settling on Judith. He turned to Vivienne and said, “Vivienne, there are

“I’m not great

“Very well.”

returned to Judith. “Let’s start with the

time when he would address

no

twinge of

Percival could utter a word, she jumped in, “What are you trying to do? Do you really think you can tally

“I’m quite the mathematician, you know. Won the International Math Olympiad when I was sixteen. You can look